The Maruts, radiant and swift as adorned horses, shone with the brilliance of youthful warriors. They dwelled in splendid palaces, gleaming like frolicsome calves, playful and full of life. To these Maruts, the people prayed: “Be gracious to us, O Maruts! Show us your mercy and make the passage between the two worlds smooth and easy. Keep your fierce power far from our cattle and from humankind. O Vasus, accept our homage with goodwill.” The priest, seated in reverence, called out to the Maruts with hymns of praise, yearning for their generous gifts. He, strong and eager, protector of his people, invoked them with devotion. The Maruts, bringers of strength, bowed to might and guarded the praises of the worshipper, turning aside the weight of hatred and placing it upon the hostile. These divine Maruts did not overlook the weak; as Vasus, they favored the humble and drove away all darkness. Their blessings were sought for offspring and descendants, that generations might flourish. The people pleaded, “Let your gifts never be withdrawn from us, O Maruts. Do not let us be left behind when wealth is divided. Distribute to us our rightful share, O Vasus, if your noble power is truly ours.” When people gathered in unity, heroes strong in horses, among plants and clans, they called upon the Maruts, children of Rudra, to stand as their protectors in victorious battle. Much had the Maruts accomplished, and the ancient hymns sung in their honor bore witness to their deeds. Fierce and victorious, those who allied with the Maruts won the prize—the swift steed and the glory of triumph. The people prayed for a mighty hero among them, strong and wise, a leader by whom they could cross waters to safe dwelling, hoping to draw near to the Maruts with their own households. They invoked other gods as well—Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, Agni, the Waters, the Plants, and the Forests—asking that all accept their offerings. Above all, they sought shelter in the lap of the Maruts, longing for their constant protection and well-being. The honeyed name of the Maruts was praised in every sacrifice, bringing joy to the strong. When the Maruts set forth, they made even heaven and earth tremble, filling the wellsprings with their might. They were attentive to the one who praised them, guiding the worshipper’s hymn. “Come, delighted, and sit upon our sacred grass,” the people sang, “for our benefit, in our assemblies.” No others were like the Maruts, who shone with golden weapons and adorned bodies, binding their ornaments together in beauty across heaven and earth. The people asked that the Maruts’ lightning bring increase, and if any offense had been committed through human weakness, that it be forgiven. “Do not let us fall into want, O worshipful ones. May your most favorable thoughts be with us.” Even after their deeds were done, the Maruts roared, flawless, pure, and radiant. The people begged for protection through their gracious thoughts and for prosperity through their gifts. The Maruts, praised by many names, were called to accept the offerings and grant a share of immortality to the offspring of their devotees, along with wealth, eloquence, and generosity. “Come with all your help, O Maruts,” the people prayed. “Approach us, you generous lords and all-protecting ones, and by your power, make us flourish. May your well-being always shelter us.” Voices rose together in praise of the Maruts, mighty in the divine realm, whose greatness shook heaven and earth and who guarded the summit from destruction. Fierce and formidable from birth, strong in will and vigor, the Maruts inspired awe throughout the world, seers of the sun. They were asked to bestow great strength upon the generous, to accept good praise, to drive away foes, and to protect with splendid aid. From the Maruts, the sage received a hundredfold, the strong a thousandfold, and the king the power to vanquish his enemies. The people sought that the Maruts’ impulses be most powerful in these endeavors. They called upon the merciful sons of Rudra, longing for the Maruts’ return, whether their gifts had been withheld or revealed, always seeking the favor of the mighty. The well-praised hymn was offered to please the generous Maruts, to drive away hatred, and to ensure their constant protection. Whomever the gods protected—Agni, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, and the Maruts—would find shelter and overcome foes in battle, crossing over to prosperity and great riches by serving the gods with devotion. Vasiṣṭha, the sage, never neglected the Maruts, inviting them to partake in the Soma pressing, urging all desirous ones to drink. Those who sought the favor of the Maruts found unfailing protection in battle, their goodwill ever-renewing and eager. The people called upon the givers of strength to dispel darkness and accept their offerings, asking the Maruts to remain present and bless the sacrifice. The Maruts, shining and adorned like blue-backed swans, soared forth in splendor. The people prayed that the entire host would not remain apart, but would delight with them in the Soma pressing. If any with hostile intent sought to harm, the people implored the Maruts to release them from deceit and to strike down the enemy with their blazing weapon. The offerings of the zealous were placed before the Maruts, hoping for their protection as destroyers of foes. The Maruts were urged to attend every household rite, never to be absent, and to grant their unwavering protection and splendid wealth. Upon the sacred grass, the people invited the Maruts to rejoice in the sweetness of Soma and the sacrifice. The Maruts, radiant as the sun and wise, were chosen for the sacrifice, possessors of true strength. Tryambaka, the fragrant one, increaser of prosperity, was also worshipped, with prayers for release from death and for immortality, as a cucumber is freed from its stem. As the Sun rose, the people prayed that their words would be true for Mitra and Varuna, and that they might be beloved among the gods, singing the praise of Aryaman. The Sun, guardian of all that stands and moves, traversed both paths and saw both the straight and the crooked among mortals, his vision shining upon men. Seven bay steeds, yoked for the assembly, carried the Sun, gleaming with clarified butter. Mitra and Varuna had established the abodes, and the Sun, like a leader, beheld the generations. The bright, honeyed rays rose as the Sun mounted the shining sky, for whom the Adityas—Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuna—cleared the paths. These were the vigilant watchers against falsehood, steadfast in truth, grown mighty in their dwelling—the unfailing sons of Aditi, ever upholding the order of the world.